ISS Daily Summary Report – 07/07/16

47 Soyuz (47S) Launch: 47S launched successfully last night at 8:36 PM CDT from the Baikonur Cosmodrome with Expedition 48 crew members Anatoly Ivanishin, Takuya Onishi and Kate Rubins on board. Docking is scheduled Friday at 11:12 PM CDT. With this crew’s arrival, the ISS will be in 6-crew operations until 46S return on September 6.

Meteor Setup Configuration: Meteor was configured in the US Lab’s Window Observational Research Facility (WORF) rack, enabling ground teams to proceed with checkout and operations.  The Meteor scientists plan to collect images of the Southern δ-Aquarid (mid-July to mid-August) and Perseid meteor (peak in mid-August) showers.  The Meteor investigation provides the first space-based measurement of meteor flux. It also allows for the monitoring of carbon-based compounds. Continuous measurement of meteor interactions with the Earth’s atmosphere could also spot previously unseen meteor showers. 

3D Printing in Zero-G Experiment Operations: The ground team remotely operated the 3D printer to produce three more 3D printed test coupons in the Microgravity Science Glovebox (MSG), after which the crew removed and stow them. The 3D Printing In Zero-G experiment demonstrates that a 3D printer works normally in space. A 3D printer extrudes streams of heated plastic, metal or other material, building layer on top of layer to create 3 dimensional objects. Testing a 3D printer using relatively low-temperature plastic feedstock on the ISS is the first step toward establishing an on-demand machine shop in space, a critical enabling component for deep-space crewed missions and in-space manufacturing. 

Cell Biology Experiment Facility (CBEF) Reconfiguration: In preparation for the Mouse Epigenetics experiment arrival on SpaceX (SpX)-9, a 120 to 24 volt direct current (DC) converter and CBEF temperature controller was installed in the Saibo rack. The CBEF is a Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) sub-rack facility located in the Saibo (living cell) Experiment Rack. The CBEF is used in various life science experiments, such as cultivating cells and plants in the Japanese Experiment Module (JEM) and consists of an incubator and control equipment for control and communications. 

Dose Tracker: The crew completed entries for medication tracking. This investigation documents the medication usage of crewmembers before and during their missions by capturing data regarding medication use during spaceflight, including side effect qualities, frequencies and severities. The data is expected to either support or counter anecdotal evidence of medication ineffectiveness during flight and unusual side effects experienced during flight. It is also expected that specific, near-real-time questioning about symptom relief and side effects will provide the data required to establish whether spaceflight-associated alterations in pharmacokinetics (PK) or pharmacodynamics (PD) is occurring during missions.

Lab Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Troubleshooting: The Lab MCA was successfully activated this morning following installation of a spare Orbital Replacement Unit (ORU)2 (Mass Spectrometer) and reinstallation of the previously installed ORU8 (Verification Gas Assembly).  The was an issue during connection of the utilities when the vacuum line could not be fully seated due to an off-set with the vacuum connection on the drawer. This was corrected by adjusting the bracket that secures the vacuum line to the rack. The vacuum line was successfully connected and confirmed fully seated. The Lab MCA will remain powered and in IDLE state until crew time can be scheduled to connect the vacuum hose to pump down the ORU2 prior to being used operationally. The previously installed ORU2 is considered suspect and will be returned to ground.

Today’s Planned Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

  • JEMRMS Bus Monitor Cable Teardown
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Hardware Setup r/g 2728
  • BRI log download from RSS1 / SM Auxiliary Computer Systems
  • Data Transmission Radio (РСПИ) – Onboard Memory Device (БЗУ). Functional Check of БЗУ Cards r/g 2726
  • 3DP Coupon removal and stowage
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Parameter Settings Adjustment  r/g 2728
  • CBEF Hardware Setup and Activation
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Observation r/g 2728
  • Tropical Cyclone, Hardware Closeout Ops
  • RELAKSATSIYA. Closeout Ops and Hardware Removal r/g 2728
  • JEM CO2 Supply
  • MELF3 Ice Brick Insert
  • IMS Tagup (S-band)
  • 3DP Coupon removal and stowage
  • СОЖ Maintenance
  • IMS Delta File Prep
  • Lab MCA R&R
  • Data Transmission Radio (РСПИ) – Onboard Memory Device (БЗУ). Functional Check of БЗУ Card r/g 2726
  • Pressurizing Elektron-VM Liquid Unit / SM Atmosphere Revitalization Subsystem
  • Flushing Progress 432 [AO] Rodnik H2O Tank 1 Connectors / r/g 2727
  • Search for [АСУ] hose / r/g 2725
  • Video Footage of Greetings / r/g 2724
  • 3DP Coupon removal and stowage
  • Habitability iPad App Update
  • METEOR Installation and configuration
  • EMCS Valve Closure
  • ПФ1-4 Dust Filter Cartridge Replacement in SM
  • INTERACTION-2. Experiment Ops / r/g 2723

Completed Task List Items

  • None

Ground Activities
All activities were completed unless otherwise noted.

  • Lab MCA ops support
  • Nominal ground commanding.

Three-Day Look Ahead:

  • Friday, 07/08: 3D Printing cartridge exchange, Food Pantry install, 47S dock (begin)
  • Saturday, 07/09: 47S dock (end), leak check, hatch open, safety briefing
  • Sunday, 07/10: Crew off duty

QUICK ISS Status – Environmental Control Group:

                              Component

Status

Elektron

On

Vozdukh

Manual

[СКВ] 1 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV1”)

Off

[СКВ] 2 – SM Air Conditioner System (“SKV2”)

On

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Lab

Standby

Carbon Dioxide Removal Assembly (CDRA) Node 3

Operate

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Lab

Idle

Major Constituent Analyzer (MCA) Node 3

Operate

Oxygen Generation Assembly (OGA)

Standby

Urine Processing Assembly (UPA)

Standby

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Lab

Off

Trace Contaminant Control System (TCCS) Node 3

Full Up